I write for those who cannot write.
I cook for those who cannot cook.
I speak for those who cannot speak.
My name is Hana.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Pot O' Veg (Vegan Bućkuriš)

I
came back from a rehearsal very late, and all I had were a bunch of ingredients, which I purchased the day before. I wanted
to make curry, but I didn't have coconut milk. I wanted to make deep fried
tofu, but that was too greasy for me, and it takes a lot of efford and
energy to make it. Besides, saturated fat isn't necessary.

So
I got an idea: Why can't I just meal prep? Not for a bodybuilding
competition or a diet, simply because I don't want to eat
Soylent for the rest of my life and I knowing a good recipe in case of emergency is important.

When I mean emergency, I mean: What if a large group of people came in to my
house, hungy like wolves, but also exhausted?

The chopped mushrooms, tofu, dates and tomatoes

What if there was a war between AI and humans? Who would cook for
the humans?

My
mind drifted into fantasy, as it always happens to me, late at night – when most
people are asleep. I was cooking, simply because I thought that if I sacrificed
my time now, I'd have more time tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and however
long it took me to eat my vegan bućkuriš*. I have to admit that's very Bosnian
of me to cook like this, since I know that „fancy“ people like their dishes
separated, so they can put them together, by themselves, on their plates, like
I saw in a Japanese restaurant once.

What my kitchen looked like

It amazes me how people want to feel like individuals, but still continue to
wonder how lonely they are.

After
putting some frozen veg into my wok, and then some more, I added turmeric,
simply because the taste is pretty fucking great and the color is very bright.
Random fact: according to indian religions, orange is the color of the Sacred Chakra.

As a fellow poet would say:“ First times are always the best“ – the most
exciting times, the most enlightening times. Any other time is simply too boring
for us, mostly because we've already seen everything.

Stewing the onions right after defrosting the veg

And for the sake od additional flavor, I committed a great sin – I used olive oil to cook my onions and put it in the pot o'vegn.

I'll
try thickening it up, by adding cornstarch. I didn't have it at hand, but
that's fine.

I
have to make another batch of seitan, just to put it in this.

The
only thing it lacked was creaminess, but that's would create a completely new
dish. I also put some spices for gulaš*, just
for the lulz. It ended up tasting pretty damn good.
The pot feels very fresh, but also very exciting, like savory fireworks in your
mouth.
I mean, atleast I like it. Maybe because I cooked it, maybe because it's
actually good.

Eating
late at night is pretty bad for me or anyone else, but it reminded me of the
times where I'd come late at home, after hanging out with friends, and I'd have
a warm meal waiting for me, made by my mother. Comfort food.

The veg with the added turmeric

Simplicity is good. Add a bunch
of colorful ingredients into one pot and make something out of it.

Like a painting or a life.

*bućkuriš - Pronounced as bochkoorish. An unbelievable combination of ingredients from the fridge, the ingredients that sit in the fridge for weeks as they impatiently and sadly wait for an economic crisis to strike, to they could fulfill their existence. The amount is irrelevant, the dynamicity advantageous. The techniques used to make a bućkuriš are the following: dicing, mixing, spicing it up, cooking it, fry something if needed and of course, eating.

*gulaš - from Wikipedia: Goulash is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other spices.Originating from the medieval Kingdom of Hungary, goulash is also a popular meal in Central Europe, Scandinavia and Southern Europe.

Recipe:

400
frozen snap peas

400
g corn

Mexican
vegetable mix

200
grams of mushrooms

1
tomato

1
fancy onion

Gulaš
spice (optional)

Ground
chilli, if you're feeling chilly.

Chilli
makes you unchill, by unchilling you – making you feel warm. Also speeds your
metabolism up.

A
block of tofu, seitan or tempeh – around 200 grams

Some
dates (just for fun)

Lots
'water

Dash
o' salt (not too much)

2
tsp turmeric

1.Dice the onions, stew 'em
in a pan for a brief moment, set 'em aside.

2.Take the snap peas and put
'em in a non-stick wok or another huge pot. Add a glass of water. Unfrost them,
add 2 tsp of curcumin, a dash of salt